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I’ll admit it: I’m the person who always buys way too much food, especially when it comes to charcuterie. I just can’t help myself – I want all the meats and all the cheeses. And it’s not like leftover charcuterie is a bad thing…right? But I have gotten better at restraining myself, and in the process, I’ve learned how to gauge how much I’ll need depending on the gathering. It’s really not difficult; you just need to decide on the right charcuterie board dimensions, then make a shopping list and stick to it.
If you’ve never made a charcuterie board, you may want to start with these articles:
- How to Make a Charcuterie Board
- Everything You Need to Know About Charcuterie
- What to Put on a Charcuterie Board
How to Choose the Right Charcuterie Board Dimensions
The most important – and obvious – question when deciding what charcuterie board dimensions will work for you, is how many people are you serving? Once you know that number, the rest is easy, I promise. You’ll also want to know if anyone is coming with dietary restrictions. For example, if someone is vegan, you might consider having two boards to separate the meat from the other ingredients. You’ll especially want to know if there are any nut allergies; keeping nuts separate or simply not serving them is crucial in that scenario.
Once you’ve got the information you need, it’s time to choose the right size dimensions for your charcuterie board. Whichever size board you choose, make sure it has generous dimensions to display all the food you have in mind.
SMALL BOARDS
A small board is an excellent choice for feeding about 2-4 people and should be about 12 inches in diameter. This size is best for intimate gatherings with just a few people or a romantic night in. It’s the size board I use every year for Valentine’s Day, and it’s always the perfect size for us.
A small board can hold a surprisingly large amount of food! If it’s just for two and I want to fill the board for aesthetic reasons but I know it’ll be too much food for just two people, I’ll add a couple of extra clusters of grapes or other items that can be easily packed up and saved for later. It’s often turned out that we end up snacking longer than we’d planned, so I’d rather put out a bit more food than I think we’ll need.
MEDIUM BOARDS
A medium-sized charcuterie board is a popular choice at about 18 inches in diameter, which will feed 6-8 people. Of course, this depends on whether it’s an appetizer before a larger meal or if it’s the main event. If it’s an appetizer, it can feed up to 10 people. This board size is perfect for family gatherings around the holidays, game nights, a dinner party, or general casual gatherings. It’s also great for a summer barbecue, but make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight and don’t let the food sit out in the heat for long.
The same theory holds for a medium board as it does for a small; if you’re only feeding six people but want the board completely filled in, add some extras of larger ingredients. You could also add some desserts or small bowls of extra accoutrements around the board:
LARGE BOARDS
A large board is the perfect way to serve charcuterie for large gatherings of 10-20 people. The approximate dimensions for a gathering of this size should be about 24 inches in diameter or larger. The same question applies: are you serving the charcuterie as an appetizer or a meal? If it’s an appetizer, will people be grazing for an hour or three? What types of cheese and meats will you serve, and how much room will each need? This will help you choose the right charcuterie board dimensions every time.
GRAZING TABLES
A grazing table is the perfect long charcuterie board for serving a larger crowd of 20 people or more. It’s a great choice for weddings, corporate events, or even baby showers. It’s a great way to ensure everyone has snacks available for several hours without having to prepare individual hot appetizers.
A grazing table can be any size; it just depends on the size of the table, and even that is easy to adjust to the size of the gathering. For example, adding different tiers to a small table allows for more food and gives height and visual interest to the table. A table that’s too large for your needs can have flower bouquets, drinks, or even photos of a wedding couple behind or next to the charcuterie spread.
Choose a table that will give you ample space to display larger boards for fresh fruit, a cheese board, and other food items.
CREATE YOUR OWN SIZE WITHOUT A BOARD
What if you don’t have a charcuterie board with the right dimensions or if you don’t have a board at all? A plate or platter or even a cutting board will work. A sheet of parchment can be placed on the board if you’d rather not showcase the board and no one will be the wiser. Even a shallow box can do the trick, as seen here with this Easter charcuterie board. All your guests care about is the gorgeous display of food you’re putting out!
Another option is to skip using a board entirely and opt for parchment paper. Place a few sheets down the center of a table or kitchen island and build your charcuterie board directly on the paper. Think of it as a grazing table you’re making for a smaller gathering. This trick works for even the smallest groups!
Consider preparing small bites for your grazing table and putting them on their own elevated board, like this:
Different Types of Charcuterie Board Materials
Wood treated with a food-safe finish is the most common type of material used for charcuterie boards. It’s the most rustic-looking choice and comes in different shapes, which matches the aesthetic of charcuterie well.
Hardwoods like hard maple, oak, or walnut are some of the most durable.
Disposable, lightweight bamboo trays are a great option if you’re transporting your board and don’t want to risk it getting misplaced or forgotten. They can be reused several times and then recycled.
Our personal favorite and the best material, in our opinion, are boards made from olive wood, which have unique character and interesting grain patterns. They’re often as gorgeous as the culinary creations displayed on them. If you find one that’s particularly gorgeous, display it in your home as decor so it’s not hiding away in a drawer or closet.
Acacia wood is another great choice with its beautiful grain patterns, durability, and resistance to damage from liquids. Remember that you can also just use wooden cutting boards instead of a board dedicated solely to charcuterie.
Slate boards are elegant and with a smooth finish for serving cheese and charcuterie. Marble boards offer a cool surface, ideal for preserving the freshness of cheeses.
Plastic boards are lightweight, easy to clean, and perfect for an outdoor event. If you line it with brown parchment paper, no one will notice what’s underneath!
When deciding on a material, consider the look you’re going for – is this a casual get-together or something upscale? Your chosen material will impact your charcuterie presentation’s overall look and feel.
How to Care for Your Charcuterie Board
Wooden boards should be cleaned each time they’re used. For a wooden board, use a washcloth with a little mild dish soap and warm water to wipe it clean gently. Use a dry towel to remove as much water as possible, then allow it to air dry with as much surface area exposed as possible. Slate, ceramic, marble, and plastic can be cleaned in hot, soapy water, but they’re not prone to water damage, so you won’t have to be as careful when washing them.
When you first get a new wooden serving board, it should be seasoned with a food-safe mineral oil or butcher block conditioner. Apply a generous coat of oil on all sides, letting it soak into the wood for at least several hours. Do this process 2-3 times when you first get a new board. After that, apply a light layer of oil to the board after washing every few times it’s used or anytime it shows signs of wear. Hardwoods that are more resistant to water damage likely won’t need as much maintenance as other woods.
Make sure to use an oil that’s labeled as food-safe, such as regular butcher block oil. Don’t use vegetable or similar oils as they can become rancid over time, which is obviously the opposite of what you want! If you buy a locally made charcuterie board, ask the maker how to best care for it.
Charcuterie Boards Make Great Gifts
The perfect charcuterie board is one that’s well-used and loved. If there’s a charcuterie lover in your life, consider gifting them a unique board with natural beauty they can use again and again. A board on its own is a wonderful gift, or you can assemble charcuterie directly on the board and then wrap it carefully before giving it to the recipient. Smaller board sizes are the easiest for this, but any size will work.
Another idea is to assemble a charcuterie box, place it on the wood board you’re gifting, and wrap it in cellophane with a bow. This way the recipient can either immediately refrigerate the ingredients or display them on the board right away. It’s much easier to transport and you can decorate the box for a truly unique gift!
There are many shops where you can have custom boards made, and some even offer personalization. This would make a wonderful wedding gift with the bride and groom’s name and wedding date engraved on it. Etsy, in particular, is a great place to order something customized with the perfect charcuterie board dimensions.
If you’re interested in learning more about charcuterie, don’t miss our article on all things charcuterie, including its origins and how to pronounce it! Or check out our sections for the best meats, cheeses, and accoutrements.
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